In a modern, well-functioning society diversity is an accepted norm. People of different genders, ages, beliefs and cultures mix, giving broad perspectives and enriching understanding. Everybody benefits from that. In shipping, although the numbers are very old, we know that only around 2% of seafarers are women, with no clear idea of how gender plays out in land-based and support roles and sectors – says Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou – president of WISTA.